It was lunchtime.
Ichin and Utaha arrived at the Service Club to have lunch together with Yukino and Eriri.
As they opened their lunch boxes, Utaha glanced at the two girls and asked, "It's Valentine's Day today—did either of you get any confessions?"
Yukino calmly took a bite of her rice and replied, "After firmly rejecting a few people last semester, no one with a lack of common sense approached me today."
Things were a bit different on Eriri's side. She didn't have Yukino's courage to be so blunt and sharp-tongued toward the boys who tried to hit on her.
"Uhh… I did get some confessions, but I turned them down. It's honestly really annoying. Every time class ends, there are always guys coming up to me."
That was a bit of a hassle for Eriri.
At school, Eriri always portrayed herself as a polite, well-mannered, golden-haired, twin-tailed half-Japanese ojou-sama. Her popularity among the male students was sky-high.
In that kind of situation, it was difficult for her to act cold or sarcastic. All she could really do was keep turning them down as tactfully as possible.
"The simplest solution is to just get yourself a boyfriend," Ichin said, shaking his head as he took a sip of warm miso soup. "Then all those problems go away. But that's pretty much impossible for you, Eriri. So I'd say just keep rejecting them. Once enough guys have been turned down, word will spread that you're not interested in dating, and they'll stop bothering you."
"I know, that's what I was thinking too," Eriri replied with a nod.
"Who told you to go with that kind of character setting from the start?" Utaha teased leisurely.
"If you hadn't acted like some prim and proper ojou-sama in the beginning, things would've been a lot simpler and more direct."
"Well, it's too late to change anything now, so I'll just roll with it," Eriri said, flicking her twin tails as she stopped thinking about it and began eating her lunch in big bites.
Soon after finishing lunch, the group settled in for a bit of rest.
While sipping her tea, Yukino looked toward Ichin and Utaha. "Senpai, Utaha-senpai, are you two planning to spend Valentine's Day together after school?"
"That's right," Utaha replied with a smile. "We've got a reservation at a restaurant tonight. Candlelight dinner."
Hearing that, Eriri immediately pouted, showing a mix of disdain and thinly veiled envy.
Yukino didn't react much. She was simply curious and asked out of interest.
But then Eriri seemed to realize something. "Wait, does that mean… you're not going to the studio today?"
"Nope. We'll head home after school, change clothes, and go straight to the restaurant," Ichin nodded. "Actually, it's not just us. I gave everyone at the studio the day off. They're free to come in if they want, but even if they don't, it's fine. If they want to hang out with friends or go on dates, they're totally free to do so. Full pay for the day."
"You can do that?" Eriri stared at Ichin in surprise.
"I was actually planning to head to the studio after school… but it looks like no one's going to be there now, huh?"
"Yeah~~ pretty much," Ichin replied. "Everyone's got their own plans."
Then he went on to explain what some of the team members were up to.
For example, Sakura Nene was going with Umiko to participate in a team survival shooting competition.
Hajime and Iijima Yun would be heading home to spend time with family.
As for what Aoba or Hifumi might be doing, Ichin wasn't too sure.
Hazuki's whereabouts, though, he knew—after all, this whole plan was her suggestion in the first place.
"Eh? A girls' night out for single ladies?" Eriri turned to Yukino with a surprised look. "I didn't expect even your sister to be joining in!"
Yukino's expression also showed some surprise as she nodded.
"Yes, she mentioned to me yesterday that she had something planned today. I thought some poor soul with no self-preservation instinct had tried to ask her out… but so this is what it was. I guess it makes sense. She and Hiratsuka-sensei have been close for a long time."
...Wait. Did she just casually roast any guy who likes her sister as lacking common sense?
Well… maybe that's not entirely wrong.
After all, with Haruno's personality, it's not like just any guy could handle her.
Or more accurately—there probably isn't a guy who could really catch her interest in the first place.
Realizing she wouldn't be able to hang out at the studio anymore, Eriri turned immediately to Yukino.
"Yukino, wanna come over to my place tonight? My parents are going out for Valentine's too, so I'll be all alone. You're probably alone too, right?"
Yukino hadn't actually thought that far ahead.
She was going to politely decline at first, but when she saw the pitiful look on Eriri's face, she gave in and nodded.
"Alright. But I'll need to stop by my apartment first to pick up some clothes. We've still got school tomorrow."
"No problem! Let's go together after school!"
Eriri cheered with joy—someone to spend the evening with! And not just anyone, but Yukino, who could cook! No need to order takeout tonight!
Credit where it's due—Eriri's brain does work fast sometimes.
Even Yukino hadn't thought about the whole dinner part yet.
---
That afternoon, the atmosphere of Valentine's Day didn't fade away just because classes were still in session.
Even the teachers weren't immune to the vibe.
At Toyogasaki High, quite a few of the teachers were already married, but more than half of them were still single.
Some teachers were planning the usual mixer after school, but surprisingly, this year, Shizuka Hiratsuka wasn't joining them.
Instead, she opted to attend a singles' drinking party—a decision that caught many teachers off guard.
Shizuka wasn't unpopular among the staff.
With her beauty, figure, and exceptional skills as a teacher, she definitely stood out.
But the issue was the intimidating aura she naturally gave off. Combined with her high combat prowess (literal or not), most male teachers didn't have the courage to even try pursuing her.
So the question floating around was…
Could Shizuka Hiratsuka finally find love this year?
Everyone was curious.
---
Once the final bell rang, Ichin and Utaha packed up and left the classroom.
As they headed downstairs, they just so happened to run into Shizuka Hiratsuka on her way out as well.
Ichin greeted her.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, heading home? Where's your party being held?"
"Oh, it's you two." She gave them a nod. "It's at Haruno's place. Her apartment's more spacious and good for drinking and chatting. It was supposed to be at mine, but honestly, my little place isn't suitable for gatherings, so we switched venues."
Haruno did have an apartment in Tokyo.
Although she often liked to crash at Yukino's place for no reason, her own apartment was still kept clean and well-maintained—certainly better than Hiratsuka's underused little hideaway.
"What about you two?" she asked, glancing at their clasped hands.
But then she immediately caught herself.
"Never mind. I asked a pointless question. I don't need that kind of emotional damage… especially from my own students."
Ichin and Utaha smiled at each other.
After saying goodbye, they parted ways with Hiratsuka and headed home to change clothes.
//END